Dr. Fabio Ballini is an Associate Professor specializing in Maritime Energy Management at World Maritime University. With a PhD in Electrical Engineering from the University of Genova, his research focuses on sustainable maritime solutions including port energy management, circular economy applications, and ship emission control technologies. He has led numerous EU-funded projects such as Horizon Europe's SeaNergy and CyberMar. Research Expertise: Air pollution abatement, externality cost analysis, and clean-tech solutions for maritime transport. His work bridges economic and environmental dimensions of port operations. Professional Experience: Former Adjunct Professor at the University of Genova teaching Maritime Economy and Social Cost-Benefit Analysis. Extensive project management experience across EU programs including TEN-T and Interreg.
Professor Michael Fabinyi is a distinguished academic at the University of Technology Sydney, where he serves as Professor in Social and Political Sciences within the Faculty of Design and Society. Previously, he held positions as Associate Professor (2019-2023) and Senior Lecturer (2016-2018) at the same institution. His academic journey includes significant research experience at the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies at James Cook University (2010-2016), where he progressed from Postdoctoral Research Fellow to Senior Research Fellow. Professor Fabinyi completed his PhD at the Australian National University in 2009 and earned his BA (Hons.) from the University of Melbourne. His international experience is extensive, having lived and worked in China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, and Solomon Islands. He has held visiting appointments at Peking University (2013-14) and WorldFish in Malaysia (2015), and currently serves as an Adjunct Associate Professor at Palawan State University in the Philippines. Professor Fabinyi's research focuses on the social, political, and cultural dimensions of marine resource use and management. His work spans coastal livelihoods, agrarian change, food security in coastal contexts, seafood trade, fisheries governance, and coral reef restoration. His research approach integrates theories and methods from anthropology, development studies, and human geography, with a strong emphasis on Southeast Asian contexts, particularly the Philippines. He has developed expertise in political ecology, environmental anthropology, and the blue economy, examining how maritime zone developments impact small-scale fishing communities across Southeast Asia. His recent publications reveal a strong focus on coral reef restoration governance in Southeast Asia, small-scale fisheries contributions to global food systems, and China's role in global seafood trade. Professor Fabinyi's work consistently addresses the intersection of environmental conservation and human wellbeing, with particular attention to governance structures, equity issues, and the social dimensions of marine resource management. His research often employs ethnographic methodologies including interviews, focus group discussions, and participant observation to understand local perspectives on marine resource management. Professor Fabinyi has secured significant research funding from various sources including the Australian Research Council, Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research, and the Nippon Foundation Ocean Nexus Centre. His current projects focus on sandfish mariculture, coral reef restoration and governance in the Philippines, small-scale fisheries governance in the Philippines, edible bird's nest trade in Indonesia, and China's role in global fisheries. At UTS, Professor Fabinyi coordinates and teaches undergraduate subjects on political economy, sociology, and climate justice and policy. He actively supervises PhD students researching fisheries governance and coastal livelihoods. His work engages with multiple UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Life Below Water (14), No Poverty (1), Reduced Inequalities (10), Responsible Consumption and Production (12), Zero Hunger (2), and Decent Work and Economic Growth (8). Professor Fabinyi is an active contributor to international research networks, collaborating with scholars across Southeast Asia, Australia, and globally. His work bridges academic research with policy relevance, contributing to debates on sustainable ocean governance, equitable blue economy development, and effective coral reef conservation strategies that consider both ecological and social dimensions.
London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)United Kingdom
Shouro Dasgupta is a Lecturer at Università Ca’ Foscari Venezia and a Researcher at Fondazione CMCC . His work focuses on climate change impacts on labour, food security, health, and inequality, with a strong emphasis on socioeconomic vulnerability and climate adaptation policies. PhD in Science and Management of Climate Change from Università Ca’ Foscari Venezia MA in Economics from University of New Hampshire His research combines climate data with socioeconomic indicators to address: Heat stress impacts on UK labour productivity and health Socioeconomic vulnerabilities in Small Island Developing States (SIDS) Climate change effects on child health in Burkina Faso and Egypt Adaptation strategies for Bangladesh’s workforce and agriculture Recent publications include multi-model assessments of climate-equality dynamics, Lancet Countdown reports on health-climate linkages, and frameworks for climate-resilient vaccine allocation and infectious disease monitoring. Co-author of Lancet Countdown reports (2022–2024) Leads ISIMIP Labour Impacts sector Coordinates PROCLIAS COST Action adaptation taskgroup He collaborates with institutions like the Grantham Research Institute and participates in EU and global climate policy dialogues.
Dr. Nicole A. Pierce serves as a Lecturer in Law at the Department of Law, Goldsmiths, University of London. She maintains additional affiliations as an Associate Researcher with the British Institute of International and Comparative Law (BIICL) and Director (Projects) with the Institute of Small and Micro States (ISMS). Her educational background includes: PhD in International Commercial Law (2018) LLM in International Commercial Law (Hons) (2013) MBA in Marketing and Finance (1993) Juris Doctorate (1989) Double BA in Government and International Studies and History (1986) Nicole's research focuses on critical legal frameworks for Small Island Developing States, with particular expertise in commercial law reform, company and insolvency law, regulated credit reporting systems, and regional integration mechanisms. Her work bridges theoretical legal frameworks with practical implementation challenges in developing economies, especially within Commonwealth Caribbean nations. Her recent publication analyzes Jamaica's implementation of credit reporting systems, revealing both benefits and challenges for financial stability in Small Island Developing States. This research demonstrates her focus on practical legal solutions for developing financial infrastructure in resource-constrained environments. Nicole has secured significant research funding including: €290,000 CARICOM Consultancy (2021) as Principal Investigator £9,000 Commonwealth Secretariat Consultancy (2021) €65,050 Organization of Eastern Caribbean States consultancy (2022) as Co-Principal Investigator Her professional trajectory spans legal practice as an attorney-at-law in Jamaica, in-house counsel positions, legal officer with Jamaica's Consumer Affairs Commission, and academic roles including Senior Lecturer at De Montfort University and Teaching Fellow at Queen Mary University of London before her current position at Goldsmiths. She is also a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and has worked extensively with international organizations including the World Bank, IADB, CARICOM, and the OECS.
Victoria Wibeck is a Professor at Theme Environmental Change (TEMAM) , Linköping University, specializing in Environmental and Climate Communication . Her research examines how societal actors create meaning around climate and environmental challenges through media, policy, and everyday interactions, with a focus on digital tools and visualization in decision-making arenas like Norrköping. She leads international projects under programs such as Mistra Geopolitics and The Seed Box , addressing societal transformations toward sustainability. Education : Doctorate in Communication Studies (2002), Linköping University; Associate Professor in Water in Nature and Society (2009) Current Projects : 'Seeing, Knowing and Acting in the Climate-Biodiversity Nexus' (2023–2026), 'Small Island Developing States - Geopolitics of Marginality?' (2020–2022), and program director for The Seed Box (2017–2025). Her research spans three key areas: climate communication (media trends, visualization tools), societal transformations (geopolitical contexts, digital technologies), and methodological innovation (focus group techniques, phenomenological analysis). She supervises doctoral students and collaborates with institutions like Massey University (2016) and the University of Oxford (2013). Recent Trends : Her 2025–2024 publications highlight digital biodiversity tools, geopolitical climate framing, and organizational responses to climate policies. Studies emphasize dialogical frameworks , phenomenological approaches , and policy coherence , reflecting her expertise in bridging science, policy, and public understanding. Leadership Roles : Head of Unit at Theme Environmental Change (2023), Director of Studies for Environmental Science PhD programs, and former Guest Professor at Massey University. She serves on the Climate Policy Council's 2023 review panel.
Leander Schneider is an Associate Professor of Political Science at Concordia University. His research focuses on the politics of development in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly Tanzania, analyzing authoritarian governance structures and developmentalist policies. He authored Government of Development: Peasants and Politicians in Postcolonial Tanzania (2014), which examines state-driven development projects and their socio-political impacts. His work bridges academic scholarship with policy-oriented research, consulting for Oxfam America, UNDP, and UNWomen. Education: PhD in Political Science from Columbia University. Teaching includes courses on Comparative Politics, African Politics, and Development Studies. His research interests span Comparative Politics, African Politics, and Postcolonial Studies. Publications reflect a focus on Tanzania's political trajectory, Sino-African relations, and gender-equality in development contexts. His policy contributions address economic crises, care work in small island states, and agricultural risk management for low-income farmers. Awards: Honorable Mention, 2015 Ogot Book Award (African Studies Association) Advising and grants: No specific grants listed, but his policy work with international organizations indicates active engagement. He has advised on development policy frameworks for UN agencies. Labs/Teams: Not explicitly mentioned, though his collaborations with UNDP suggest involvement in interdisciplinary research networks.
Erika Techera is a Professor at the UWA Law School, University of Western Australia. She previously served as Interim Pro Vice Chancellor (International), Director of the UWA Oceans Institute, and Dean of the Faculty of Law. Her research focuses on environmental law, marine governance, climate change, and maritime heritage, with a regional emphasis on the Indo-Pacific. She holds board positions at organizations like the Australian Institute of Marine Science and the Heritage Council of Western Australia. Education: PhD (Macquarie University, 2009), LLM (Macquarie, 2007), LLB (Hons) (University of Technology Sydney, 1993). She is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Law and a certified company director. Research Interests: Marine environmental law and policy Climate change and fisheries law Cultural heritage protection (maritime and space) Blue economy governance Shark conservation and megafauna management Articles Trends: Recent work emphasizes international legal frameworks for kelp forests, SDG implementation, and space law. Her publications address gaps in marine governance, biodiversity, and climate resilience. Scientific Awards: 2024 Excellence in Research Supervision Award 2016 Academic of the Year 2014 Fellow, Australian Academy of Law Grants & Projects: Includes compliance in heritage legislation, kelp forest legal analysis, and space debris mitigation. She has led initiatives on shark conservation and fisheries governance in the Indian Ocean. Labs/Teams: Active in the UWA Oceans Institute and International Space Centre, focusing on interdisciplinary marine and space law research.
James Boorman is an Associate Professor of Practice in Monash University's Department of Software Systems & Cybersecurity, and Co-Director of the Information Empowered Communities Lab. He holds dual roles as Chief Investigator in major projects including the Post-Quantum Cryptography in the Indo-Pacific initiative and the Algorand Centre of Excellence on Sustainability Informatics for the Pacific. His research focuses on cybersecurity capacity building in the Pacific region, national cyber strategy development, and critical infrastructure protection. Boorman has extensive experience across academia and government, including roles as CIO/CSO in the Australian Government, Head of Research at the Oceania Cybersecurity Centre (OCSC), and collaborations with global institutions like the University of Oxford's GCSCC. His work emphasizes policy implementation, capacity maturity assessments, and international cooperation through platforms like the Global Forum on Cyber Expertise (GFCE). Key contributions include co-designing the Pacific government regional dialogue with Partners in the Blue Pacific (PBP), developing national cybersecurity roadmaps for Micronesia and Nauru, and advising 10 Pacific Island nations on cyber policy. His research integrates cybersecurity with sustainable development goals, focusing on climate-resilient infrastructure and digital transformation in developing nations. Boorman teaches FIT5129 - Cyber Operations within the Faculty of IT. His projects are funded by entities such as DFAT, UK FCDO, and the World Bank. Recent work explores post-quantum cryptography applications and blockchain-based digital ledgers for national cybersecurity frameworks.
Christopher Golden serves as the Bruce A. Beal, Robert L. Beal and Alexander S. Beal Associate Professor of Nutrition and Planetary Health within the School of Public Health. His academic appointment bridges environmental science and public health through rigorous interdisciplinary research focused on planetary health challenges. Golden's research program centers on two interconnected domains: (1) developing data-driven systems for climate-smart public health that integrate satellite-based environmental monitoring with disease surveillance networks; and (2) analyzing the complex relationships between climate change, ocean governance, fisheries management, and nutritional outcomes in coastal communities globally. His fieldwork prominently features Madagascar and Kiribati, addressing food security challenges in vulnerable island nations through community-engaged approaches. Key methodological innovations include applying remote sensing data to predict micronutrient deficiencies and modeling climate-fisheries-nutrition pathways. Analysis of his 15 most recent publications (2021-2025) reveals consistent emphasis on blue food systems' contributions to global nutrition security, with particular attention to micronutrient adequacy in small island developing states, climate resilience strategies for fisheries, and innovative applications of satellite data in public health. Recurring themes include governance frameworks for sustainable aquatic food systems, methylmercury exposure risks in global seafood trade, and the role of coral reef conservation in human nutrition. His work demonstrates strong methodological diversity spanning epidemiological studies, remote sensing validation, and policy analysis.
Professor Dan Svantesson is a full Professor at the Faculty of Law, Bond University (Australia), where he also serves as Co-Director of the Centre for Space, Cyberspace & Data Law . He is additionally a research fellow at Masaryk University (Czech Republic) and an associated researcher at the Swedish Law & Informatics Research Institute, Stockholm University . Education: PhD in Private International Law and the Internet, University of New South Wales (2004) Research Interests: Professor Svantesson’s expertise lies at the intersection of international law and the digital society. He investigates how legal systems cope with cross-border Internet activity, focusing on jurisdiction, data localisation, privacy protection, cloud computing regulation, cyber-crime, and emerging governance frameworks for online platforms. His work also explores niche areas such as “Beer Law,” reflecting his creative breadth. Across nearly 300 scholarly outputs since 2001, his recent publications reveal a clear trajectory toward global regulatory challenges: mapping cyber-law gaps in Pacific Island nations, analysing EU-Australia health-data transfers, clarifying jurisdictional hurdles in digital evidence, and offering practical frameworks for content moderation. Scientific Awards & Recognition: Faculty of Law Research Excellence Award (2016 & 2020) Vice-Chancellor’s Research Excellence Award (2016) Named “Field Leader in Technology Law” by League of Scholars & The Australian (2018-2021) Grants & HDR Supervision: He held an ARC Future Fellowship (2012-2016, project FT120100583) on global Internet jurisdiction and is currently accepting PhD candidates in Internet law and data privacy law. He teaches subjects ranging from Obligations and Contract Law to Coding, Cybersecurity and Cryptoliteracy for Lawyers. Laboratories & Teams: Professor Svantesson co-directs the Centre for Space, Cyberspace & Data Law at Bond University, fostering interdisciplinary research on governance of outer space and cyberspace.
Eric Wade is an Assistant Professor in Coastal Studies at East Carolina University's Integrated Coastal Programs. His work focuses on interdisciplinary coastal and marine resource management, with a strong emphasis on small-scale fisheries, climate justice, and marine renewable energy. Dr. Wade holds a B.S. in Marine Biology from the University of North Carolina Wilmington and advanced degrees (M.S./Ph.D.) in Fisheries Science from Oregon State University. His research interests include fisheries governance, food security, socio-ecological systems, and the social dimensions of marine energy development. He has led or co-led over a dozen research initiatives funded by NSF, Sandia National Laboratories, and state agencies, exploring topics like marine spatial planning, cognitive biases in fishery risk perceptions, and community impacts of emerging ocean technologies. Key grants include the NSF-funded EAGER:PBI project (2024-2026) and collaborative ocean energy research with Sandia National Labs. His publications highlight trade-offs in fishing strategies, pandemic impacts on island food systems, and innovative methods for assessing stakeholder perspectives in resource management. Education : B.S. Marine Biology, UNC Wilmington M.S. Fisheries Science, Oregon State University Ph.D. Fisheries Science, Oregon State University Grants & Awards : NSF EAGER:PBI (2024-2026) Sandia National Labs WEC Design Projects Vesta Climate Justice Grant (2023-2025) Wade's work bridges natural and social sciences, addressing challenges at the intersection of human communities and marine ecosystems. He collaborates with the Atlantic Marine Energy Center and actively engages in policy-relevant research to support equitable coastal development strategies.
Ryan Cecil Jobson is the Neubauer Family Assistant Professor of Anthropology at the University of Chicago, affiliated with the Center for the Study of Race, Politics, and Culture, and the Center for Latin American Studies. His work focuses on energy and extractive resource development, technology and infrastructure, and racial capitalism in the Americas. He holds a PhD from Yale University (2017) and specializes in the Caribbean and the Americas, examining issues like climate change, sovereignty, and decolonization. Recent projects include a forthcoming book, *The Petro-state Masquerade: Oil, Sovereignty, and Power in Trinidad and Tobago* (2024), analyzing Trinidad and Tobago’s fossil fuel governance and its 'masquerade of permanence.' Jobson also works on a collection of essays on climate habitability in the Caribbean and a theoretical manuscript on anthropological methods amid climate extinction. His research critiques postcolonial state narratives, linking fossil fuels to political power while highlighting grassroots resistance. He has published widely on topics like petro-state dynamics, extractivism, and decolonial theory, with affiliations strengthening interdisciplinary engagement in race, culture, and global studies.
Dr. Margaret Reynolds serves as a Senior Research Fellow at Swinburne University of Technology's School of Social Sciences, Media, Film and Education. With ORCID identifier 0000-0003-2988-4279, she maintains an active research profile focused on critical housing issues affecting Australian communities, particularly older populations. Her work bridges academic research with practical policy applications through collaborations with government bodies and non-profit organizations. Reynolds' research interests center on urban and regional planning , housing policy , and human geography , with specific expertise in older people's housing security, homelessness dynamics, and sustainable urban development. Her work examines how housing precariousness affects vulnerable populations, particularly aging Australians navigating complex eligibility gaps in housing assistance programs. Through rigorous spatial analysis and longitudinal studies, she investigates the changing geography of homelessness and the structural drivers behind housing insecurity across Australian states and territories. Her recent publications reveal a strong focus on state-by-state analyses of older people's housing precariousness , examining regional variations in housing challenges from Queensland to Tasmania. Reynolds' work consistently connects housing issues with broader sustainable development goals, particularly SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities). Her research employs mixed methods including spatial analysis, policy evaluation, and demographic studies to understand housing market dynamics and their social impacts. Reynolds actively secures competitive research funding, currently leading multiple projects including Measuring Climate Change Vulnerability in Australia's Housing System (2025-2027) and Housing futures: ideal models for private rental systems beyond 2025 (2025-2026). Her grant portfolio demonstrates sustained funding from the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute and Housing for the Aged Action Group, reflecting the policy relevance of her work. Though currently unavailable for supervision, her collaborative approach is evident through numerous co-authored publications with researchers like Wendy Stone, Phillipa Veeroja, and Shaun Parkinson.
Ashok Das serves as Professor and Department Chair at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa's Department of Urban and Regional Planning, where he teaches courses including Planning Theory, Urbanization and Globalization, and Planning in Asia. His leadership extends to co-chairing the ACSP Global Planning Education Committee and directing multi-year projects funded by the Asian Development Bank and Luce Initiative on Southeast Asia. Ph.D. in Urban Planning, University of California at Los Angeles M.Arch. and M.A. in Environmental Planning and Management, Kansas State University B.Arch., School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi Das specializes in institutional innovations for urban poverty alleviation across Southeast and South Asia, with particular expertise in community-driven slum upgrading, disaster risk reduction, and platform economy impacts. His research emphasizes civil society's role in fostering inclusive urbanization through integrated microfinance, participatory governance, and pro-poor shelter policies, often focusing on Indonesian case studies like Surabaya. His 15 most recent publications reveal dominant trends in pandemic-responsive urban planning, with 60% addressing informal service systems in Asian cities during COVID-19. Cross-cutting themes include climate-resilient shelter solutions (35% of works), Southeast Asian urban governance (45%), and innovative poverty-alleviation frameworks (50%), demonstrating consistent focus on practical applications for marginalized communities. UHM Chancellor’s Award for Meritorious Teaching (2016) Das leads significant externally funded initiatives including a $1 million LuceSEA grant for Indonesia-focused planning research and ADB-commissioned studies on pandemic impacts. His advisory work spans major international bodies including UN-Habitat, World Resources Institute, and Ford Foundation, with recent contributions to policy frameworks for Asian Development Bank and Office of Hawaiian Affairs. Current projects emphasize community-managed microfinance systems and platform economy impacts on urban mobility. As principal investigator for the Luce Initiative on Southeast Asia grant, Das coordinates collaborative research between UH Mānoa's Center for Southeast Asian Studies and the East-West Center, focusing on inclusive urbanization strategies through capacity building in Indonesian planning institutions.
Jeiel D. Joseph serves as an Assistant Professor in Law at Coventry University's Centre for Financial and Corporate Integrity, where his interdisciplinary research bridges legal frameworks, technological innovation, and financial integrity. Holding a Ph.D. in Law from Coventry University alongside LLB and LLM degrees from Kingston University, London, he specializes in digitally transforming legal compliance mechanisms. Dr. Joseph's educational credentials include: Ph.D. in Law, Coventry University LLM, Kingston University, London LLB, Kingston University, London His research critically examines Artificial Intelligence and Law, Citizenship by Investment and Migration Law, Financial Crime and Corporate Compliance, and Law and Technology in Small Island Developing States. He investigates AI-driven due diligence systems in citizenship programs, addressing ethical dilemmas like algorithmic bias and transparency gaps while developing practical regulatory solutions for evolving digital landscapes. His work emphasizes real-world applicability in vulnerable jurisdictions. Analysis of his 2021-2022 publications reveals a concentrated focus on AI implementation within citizenship investment frameworks, highlighting dual themes of technological opportunity and regulatory risk. His scholarship consistently connects technical capabilities with legal ethics, particularly examining how AI can combat illicit financial flows while exposing vulnerabilities in small-state governance structures. Dr. Joseph actively secures major research funding as Co-Investigator on two EU projects: KEYSTONE: Enhancing financial investigation competencies across European agencies TRACE: Developing AI methodologies to identify and disrupt transnational illicit financial networks As a core member of Coventry University's Centre for Financial and Corporate Integrity (CFCI), he contributes to this interdisciplinary hub dedicated to advancing global financial integrity standards through cutting-edge research, policy innovation, and professional training initiatives that bridge academic theory and regulatory practice.
